Saplings in Uniform

The sun had barely crested the distant ridge, but the Ironroot boys' dorm was already alive with chaos.

Not danger. Not disorder.

Just that particular chaos born from three seven-year-olds trying to look like serious students for the very first time.

Kaiden had woken before dawn. His uniform was folded neatly on the small shelf beside his bed: a black tunic and trousers, and a cloak stitched with root-thread, faintly glowing with æsther ink. Over the left breast of the tunic was the guild sigil — a hammer entwined with roots, Ironroot's mark. Every student wore the same uniform design across the academy, differentiated only by the color of the cloak and that single emblem.

Kaiden had dressed carefully, rechecked his laces, rebrushed his hair… and then quietly watched everything fall apart around him.

Rio was upside down on his bed, one leg through a sleeve, his cloak on backwards, and his sash looped twice around his neck for some reason.

[ Kaiden ]

"That's…"

"That's not how sashes work."

[ Rio (muffled) ]

"It's a statement piece, Kaiden."

Across the room, Nerim was battling a stubborn boot. His uniform looked perfect — until he tried to stand. He toppled sideways into the dresser.

[ Nerim ]

"I don't bend like this!"

[ Kaiden ]

"You're wearing two left boots."

[ Nerim (groaning) ]

"Ahh..."

"That explains everything."

The dorm room itself was carved like a pocket of the forest: polished wood floors formed from grown root patterns, arched ceiling beams like thick branches, and beds sunken into the wall like natural alcoves. A soft æsther pulse warmed the space from within the living wood, but none of that natural peace translated to the boys' frantic preparations.

Kaiden adjusted his collar again.

[ * Kaiden (internally) * ]

"We were told to meet at the entrance after the root-bell chimes…"

"Don't be late."

Across the hall, the two girls from their group were already waiting at the dormitory entrance. Peggy stood upright, arms folded neatly behind her back, feet tapping, uniform crisp as if she'd been born in it. Irna, smaller and visibly nervous, stayed close beside her, fiddling with the hem of her cloak.

Peggy's eyes flicked toward the hallway.

[ Peggy ]

"They're late."

[ Irna (softly) ]

"They're… loud."

[ Peggy ]

"Yes."

"Indeed."

The root-bell hummed through the floorboards — an ancient tone, more a gentle vibration through the soles than a sound through the air.

[ Kaiden ]

"That's the bell!"

"We're supposed to be outside now!"

[ Rio ]

"Technically, we are not late!"

"Just… dramatically on time!"

[ Nerim ]

"We're here!"

"We're here!"

"Not even the third minute mark!"

Rio tripped out the door, cloak still sideways. Nerim came panting after, fixing his boots mid-run.

Peggy said nothing. She just stepped slightly aside to make room as the boys fell into a loose row beside them.

Now all five of Ironroot Group 1A stood before the dorm entrance — lined up, not quite evenly. Sunlight filtered through the leafy canopy above, glinting off their identical uniforms.

They looked like tiny soldiers — awkward, disheveled, but trying.

And for now, that was enough.

◈◈◈

A breeze rustled the overhead branches. Footsteps echoed from the corridor beyond.

A figure approached, wearing a longer cloak with a copper pin marking his seniority. His gait was calm but efficient, and he carried a small scroll tied with vine-thread.

[ Final-Year Guide ]

"Ironroot 1A?"

[ Peggy (nods) ]

"Present."

[ Rio ]

"Mostly dressed and ready to learn."

The older student blinked once, unreadable. Then gestured.

[ Robin ]

"The name's Robin…"

"Robin Robinson."

Rio giggled, unable to hold it in.

[ Robin (frown) ]

"Is there a problem, kid?"

[ Rio ]

"No, sir. All good here."

[ Robin ]

"I thought so…"

"Now follow me."

"No running."

"No lagging."

They walked through the academy, down vine-strung corridors and under tall arches of pale stone that shimmered faintly with æsther script. Skylights carved through living trees filtered light in beams that moved as the branches above shifted.

First-year students from other guilds began to join their route — in azure cloaks, Skyward students marched in precise rows. Dawnseekers jogged single file with shining faces, their golden cloaks damp with morning dew. And the red-cloaked Seraphin Blade students walked silently, sharp-eyed, already wearing weighted boots.

[ Rell ]

"That's the kid without stat boost on Ascension Day."

[ Vonn ]

"Hah…"

"Do you even believe he came out of the Vein unscathed?"

[ Rell ]

"Inside job."

"I'm sure of it."

[ Vonn ]

"My thoughts exactly…"

"Average stats."

"No boost."

"There's no other explanation."

Rell and Vonn stood with Dawnbreaker now, trying their best to overshine. Kaiden saw other familiar faces, each donning their guild's colors.

After a few minutes, they arrived at a rounded stone building nestled into the academy's inner grounds.

[ Robin ]

"This is your homeroom class."

"You'll return here often."

A sigil above the arched doorway shimmered into view as they stepped forward:

First Year – Class of '51

Unlike the guild wings, there was no banner here.

No colored glass. No emblem etched into the floor. Just aged stone and soft æsther light — neutral, like the class itself.

The teacher was already waiting — a middle-aged woman with thin spectacles and ink-stained fingertips, rearranging scrolls and diagrams etched into wood slates.

She looked up as the students entered, her eyes bright.

Something between curiosity and joy.

[ Teacher ]

"Welcome, children."

Her voice was warm.

Not condescending.

Not overly sweet.

Just… gentle.

[ Teacher ]

"Go and find yourselves a place to sit."

[ Rio ]

"Let's go, guys…"

"The back is ours."

[ Nerim ]

"Save me a seat."

Kaiden followed, his gaze drifting to the two Ironroot girls, already seated. Front row, directly opposite the teacher's table. The rest of the class filled in as kids from other guilds made their way in.

Arcanums sat together among themselves. Among the five who'd made it through the guild's fine filter, Kaiden recognized one.

Dessie Marron.

A girl who was bright and carefree during registration now sat calm and composed, posture stiff, eyes focused forward.

It surprised Kaiden — and a few others.

[ * Kaiden (internally) * ]

"What happened to her?"

[ Teacher ]

"All right…"

"I think we can start now."

As everyone settled in, the teacher began her introduction.

"Hello and good morning, everyone…"

[ Class of '51 ]

"Good morning… teacher!"

Rio practically shouted it. Kaiden, mortified, tried to make himself smaller in his seat.

[ Teacher ]

"Wow… we have some live ones this year."

"Anyway, let me introduce myself…"

"My name is Daisy Maiven."

"You can call me Mrs. Maiven."

"I am your homeroom teacher for this year."

The Class of '51 was officially in session.